A MYSTERY woman found dead in a stream has been buried in the shadow of the remote hillside where she died.

The funeral of an unknown Oriental woman took place yesterday at the parish church in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Her body was found three years ago by walkers above the village near Pen y Ghent, just yards from the Pennine Way.

Despite a major police investigation that stretched to the Far East, detectives still do not know the womans identity or how she died.

About 50 mourners attended the funeral.

As well as police officers who worked on the case, a number of local villagers were present.

Also in attendance was walker David Pickersgill, 69, from Bradford, who is possibly the last person to see the woman alive.

He said: "I was out walking with my son-in-law and she asked us the way to Pen y Ghent.

"She went on her way and then I saw her picture in the paper.

"She didnt seem at all distressed or worried."

Reverend Roger Wood, who gave a short non-denominational service, told mourners the woman was "our lady of the hill".

He said the womans plight had touched the hearts of many people in the local community.

The woman was buried in a plot in the graveyard, which was donated by Horton-in-Ribblesdale Parish Council.

The brass plaque on the coffin was inscribed with the words "unknown female".

One parishioner gave flowers from the local horticultural show to be placed on the coffin.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "Im a woman who does a lot of walking on my own and I have a lot of empathy with her.

"For someone just to disappear on their own is very, very sad."

Experts believe the woman was aged between 20 and 40 and possibly from China, Korea, Thailand or the Philippines.

Forensic tests also revealed the woman had once given birth.

The police investigation into the womans death was led by Detective Inspector Pete Martin.

He said: "This by no means the end of our investigation and our inquiries to identify her will continue.

"Someone, somewhere knows who she is and I need them to contact me."

Anyone with information should call Harrogate CID on 0845-60-60-247.